Comments on: Where Are All The High Quality Real Estate Photos?https://photographyforrealestate.net/2015/08/10/where-are-all-the-high-quality-real-estate-photos/
Helping Real Estate Photographers Be SuccessfulWed, 19 Dec 2018 07:34:07 +0000hourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9By: Pierre Galanthttps://photographyforrealestate.net/2015/08/10/where-are-all-the-high-quality-real-estate-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-404092
Mon, 17 Aug 2015 00:49:52 +0000http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=19686#comment-404092In such a hot seller’s market where homes seem to be selling themselves, what is happening is that the push for professional real estate photography is actually consumer-driven, not agent-driven. Sellers want to see gorgeous photos of their homes on their retina displays and impress their neighbors. Plus, when discount brokers such as Redfin, include professional photography on all their listings, how then is the full-service realtor going to differentiate themselves?

My marketing message to Realtors has changed in recent months to reflect that trend. It used to sound like “Here’s why you need professional real estate photography…”. Now my marketing is based on the assumption that any self-respecting Realtor already uses professional imagery, as expected by their clients, but that they need to build a brand based on high-end photography. I want to them to almost be bragging to their clients about how much they’ll invest in marketing overall to market the home as a way to differentiate their brand as the very best.

@Ron, photography is only one of the upfront costs that agents have to market a home. Some agents will charge extra commission when they represent the seller (i.e. 3% for themselves, 2.5% for the buyer’s agent). Others would include a non-refundable marketing fee if the home doesn’t sell. I’ve also had clients split the cost of photography with their vendors such as mortgage brokers and escrow companies. There are even agents who will have the sellers pay me directly.

]]>By: Jason Luskhttps://photographyforrealestate.net/2015/08/10/where-are-all-the-high-quality-real-estate-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-403977
Wed, 12 Aug 2015 04:10:06 +0000http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=19686#comment-403977@ Ron Geenen – I agree 100%. The homeowner should be the one paying for the photographs. I always tell my non realtor clients that them hiring me and not the Realtor offers some advantages. One being that as they can use the images to sell the home, they can lend them to a Realtor of their choosing. If they fire one, they can lend them to their new one. Secondly, I can do more Photoshop work to clean up anything that maybe distracting, like nail holes and the like. The Realtor would get in trouble with the MLS and possibly sued.
]]>By: Jason Luskhttps://photographyforrealestate.net/2015/08/10/where-are-all-the-high-quality-real-estate-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-403974
Tue, 11 Aug 2015 21:06:29 +0000http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=19686#comment-403974I’m in the St. Louis market and have been since 2009. I find that each year I get more and more business. This year has been no exception. As Andrew pointed out in the previous post, fewer, higher quality photos do help the property sell, but also get buyers in the door. Lots of photographers in this market (St. Louis) aim to show 35-50 images for a basic home. The way I market is to offer up to 25 high quality images, highlighting the best of the house, and leave a little mystery to get buyers to want to see more. I price by the image. Most want the up to 25 package, few will request more.
]]>By: Andrewhttps://photographyforrealestate.net/2015/08/10/where-are-all-the-high-quality-real-estate-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-403973
Tue, 11 Aug 2015 19:35:52 +0000http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=19686#comment-403973I have the same question, but it is directed at agents using professional photographers, yet the quality still isn’t there.

I have been noticing some very nice photography on the upper end homes here. I’m hoping this will trickle down.

I often wonder though, with the amount of dollars at stake, how long it will take to realize fewer, higher quality photos will sell a property for more money.

]]>By: Brad D. Barnsonhttps://photographyforrealestate.net/2015/08/10/where-are-all-the-high-quality-real-estate-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-403972
Tue, 11 Aug 2015 18:41:20 +0000http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=19686#comment-403972I think Ron Geenen Is kinda right. If a Real Estate Agent told me I needed to have my landscaping cleaned up, Carpet cleaned and maybe a door painted to get more money out of my house… I would not expect the agent to pay for it. I could easily see an agent telling a client that the homeowner should hire a photographer. I only have one client that does this… he gives them my contact info and I give the homeowner perpetual rights to the photos until the home sells. So if one agent loses the listing the homeowner just gives the photos to the next one.
]]>By: Reed R. Radcliffehttps://photographyforrealestate.net/2015/08/10/where-are-all-the-high-quality-real-estate-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-403969
Tue, 11 Aug 2015 17:05:38 +0000http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=19686#comment-403969@Dan – Once the realtors get used to my photos they make sure to get the homes absolutely ready for excellent results. Many times the homes just arent worth the effort so they may go with someone who can get to them more quickly but with not as great a result. That is fine with me as I don’t have any problem filling my schedule.

Homes are selling so well here right now that sometimes I am amazed they will wait, too.

]]>By: Ron Geenenhttps://photographyforrealestate.net/2015/08/10/where-are-all-the-high-quality-real-estate-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-403968
Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:29:10 +0000http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=19686#comment-403968The problem is the Real Estate system. The Owners/Sellers want their homes sold for the highest price possible. They hire a Realtor, the best they think they can find. These owners also know that they need the best exposure for their home. That said, they should hire a good photographer and the Realtor might give them a couple of names. These owners then should pay the photographer.
Why is it that the Realtor should run the risk paying everything up front and has no guaranty of selling the home?
]]>By: Charlie Dresen - Steamboat Springs Realtorhttps://photographyforrealestate.net/2015/08/10/where-are-all-the-high-quality-real-estate-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-403966
Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:39:22 +0000http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=19686#comment-403966We all thought that “good photography” would be mainstream by now. But that’s not the case. I see opportunities all over this country for agents and photographers to raise the bar and take over their market. I just looked for a good realtor using great photos in Missoula, Montana and couldn’t find one. It’s a snowball effect – once it starts, it spreads.
]]>By: John Bowdenhttps://photographyforrealestate.net/2015/08/10/where-are-all-the-high-quality-real-estate-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-403964
Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:33:38 +0000http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=19686#comment-403964This is no excuse, but I believe many listing agents don’t pay for good photos because there is no guarantee the house will sell during their listing period. If it doesn’t, they don’t get the money back.
]]>By: Dan Bhttps://photographyforrealestate.net/2015/08/10/where-are-all-the-high-quality-real-estate-photos/comment-page-1/#comment-403962
Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:16:47 +0000http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=19686#comment-403962@ReedRadcliffe.

PLEASE TELL ME how you can get agents to schedule 2-3 weeks in advance ?? By far my biggest issue is timing. The furthest out I’ve ever been able to book a shoot is probably 10 days and that happens very rarely. Once a realtor signs listing agreements the home owner typically wants the house to go up ASAP and agents don’t want to submit a brand new listing with their cell phone shots before they can get someone in there to photograph the property. Is there anything I’m missing here?